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He studied her. “Thoughtful. Though wholly unnecessary. But thank you.”
“It’s the right thing to do.” Part of her just wished she wasn’t involved in this lie to begin with.
Outside, his sedan was parked nearby. Surprised, she looked at him. “You gave Mr. Jennings the day off?”
“I figured you would have something to say if I didn’t.” He opened her door.
Though that was true, she hoped it wasn’t the only reason he’d done it.
“Turns out he has someone special in his life that I didn’t know about.”
Oh?How many more times would he surprise her with his generosity? “Then I’m doubly glad you gave him time off. I’m sure they’ll enjoy spending the day together.”
“Yeah.” Frost looked at her pointedly. “It’s a day to spend with loved ones.”
It was. Unfortunately she might be spending it with someone she cared for but who didn’t return the feeling.
Maybe that was the worst thing of all.
With a decisive click, he closed the door before sliding behind the wheel.
As they neared the Garden District, the homes became more and more spectacular.
Then he pulled up in front of a magnificent, white, three-story Queen Anne home with multiple galleries and ornate stained-glass windows.
Especially since she’d seen pictures online, the home shouldn’t shock her or leave her in awe, but it did.
Even the magnificent photography couldn’t capture the estate’s grandeur. The landscaping was beautiful, and an oak tree out front was decorated with twinkling white lights while garland and red ribbons were wrapped around the white fencing, along with every post and rail. She could only imagine it had taken an entire crew a couple of days to make the surroundings so festive.
“Did your mom grow up here?” Kaylee had never been invited into this kind of home before, and if it wasn’t for Frost, it wouldn’t have happened in this lifetime.
“Yes, and my grandmother also.”
She couldn’t conceive of that kind of history. Once again, the differences between her and Frost stood in stark and real contrast.
“Are your grandparents the original owners?”
“Actually we’ve had it a generation longer than that. Evidently my great-grandfather extended a personal loan to a friend who used the home as collateral. When he defaulted, my great-grandfather got the deed, but I understand the house was in shambles. Once he’d brought it back to its original glory, he proposed to my great-grandmother. They were together almost forty years.”
So maybe it was good that it ended up in his family’s hands.
“He named it the Magnolia Manor. There are a number of trees in the backyard, some that he supposedly planted. In late spring, early summer, they’re spectacular. She hosts a barbecue every year when they’re in bloom. You’d enjoy it.”
She attempted a smile. After today, the closest she’d get to this home was a walking tour of the neighborhood. “It’s a jewel.”
“It is. But the upkeep is significant as well. Mason Sullivan’s company did a second complete restoration on the property about three years ago.”
No doubt Master Mason was also a Titan? How deep were the connections between the city’s wealthy elites?
“Are you ready?”
Am I?“I’ll be honest; I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be.” He shot her a wolfish grin. “Unlike me, she doesn’t bite.”
Warmth spilled through her. “That doesn’t reassure me.”
“My darling Kaylee, it wasn’t meant to.” Dropping the conversation and grabbing the gift he’d picked up for his grandmother yesterday at the spa, he jogged around the hood to open her car door.
